Friends star Matt LeBlanc will be a host on BBC's Top Gear.
The actor will join Chris Evans fronting the motoring show, becoming the first non-British host in the shows 39 years. It's scheduled to return to screens in July, following the departure of previous hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.
LeBlanc’s has appeared on the show before; in 2012, he set the fastest time in guiding a reasonably priced Kia cee’d around the track in 1 minute 42 seconds.
“Matt’s a lifelong fellow petrolhead and I’m thrilled he’s joining Top Gear," said his co-host Chris Evans. "Acting out our craziest car notions on screen is a dream job and I know we’ll both be debating some epic road trip ideas.”
The BBC, meanwhile, will be hoping that his presence will help the show maintain its record-breaking success, both in Britain and around the world. One source at the broadcaster said: “This takes Top Gear in a new direction. Le Blanc’s presence on the show will also be a boost when selling it internationally, particularly in the US where it is due to air on BBC America.”
The remaining slots are yet to be filled, but it's understood that Sabine Schultz, who appeared on the show before in schooling Clarkson at the Nurburgring in a Transit van, is likely to complete the line-up.